Institute for Astronomy to hold open house on April 29

What happens when galaxies collide? Is there now or was there ever life on Mars? What are comets made of?

For answers to these and other astronomy-related questions, head to the annual UH Mānoa Institute for Astronomy Open House on Sunday, April 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its Mānoa headquarters located at 2680 Woodlawn Drive.

There will be short talks on hot astronomical topics such as the search for habitable planets beyond the solar system, storms on the sun that affect Earth, and the transit of Venus that will be visible in Hawai‘i on June 5, 2012.

As in past years, there will be activities for both children and adults. Visitors will be able to “Ask an Astronomer,” and if the weather and the sun cooperate, observe sunspots through a telescope. Activities designed especially for children include: sundial making, comet making, shows in the StarLab planetarium, and bottle-rocket launching.

The LEGO Enthusiasts Association of Hawai‘i will be back with a moon base, and the Bishop Museum will again be bringing their interactive Magic Planet display.